fantastic

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas spoke about the race to finish in the Premier League‘s top four and gain a place in the next Champions League:

“What has changed is that we’ve won the last four games we played, they’ve been dropping points and it’s got to a point where now we are close to them”. Fabregas said. “The bad thing about all of this is that it’s not up to us. What’s up to us is winning the last two games, putting pressure on Liverpool and Spurs and seeing what happens”.

Pochettino‘s side and the Reds, as Fabregas said have dropped points recently and the Blues midfielder hopes this will happen again tonight and on Sunday: “We’ll be watching closely to see what they can do and if they drop points that’s fantastic because the target is winning titles, of course, but for clubs like Chelsea it’s also being in the top four and doing well in the Premier League”. Fabregas went on. “To always be in the Champions League is very important”.

Antonio Conte hails Chelsea and Pedro after the important win over Bournemouth in the Boxing Day clash:

“We played a good game, we could have scored more, but I am happy with the attitude of the players.

“We played without two important players [Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante, who were suspended] but I think we played very well.

Conte preferred to play Pedro instead of a real number 9 like Michy Batshuayi, and his choice was correct, as the Spaniard was the Man of the Match and scored a brace:

“This is the first time we played without a real forward, we tried this in training and I think for us at the moment this situation is the best, but I don’t forget Michy [Batshuayi] because he is a young player with great talent.

“He is adapting to this league and it is football, in the future I trust in him.”

After this victory the Blues have made it an unprecedented 12 wins in a row to stay clear at the top of the table.

“We played a good game, we could have scored more, but I am happy with the attitude of the players,” Conte said analysing the game.

“To win 12 games in a row is not easy in this league. It’s a fantastic run but it’s important to continue that now.

“In four days we have another tough game and we have to prepare very well. Because now, every team wants to beat you.”

Eden Hazard is back to top performances and shone in the last Chelsea games, contributing to the team success with his class and commitment on the pitch: this is way Blues boss Antonio Conte hailed him after the fantastic win against Everton last night:

“Eden is playing great football, fantastic football and is showing his talent with all of the Chelsea players,” the Italian manager said.

“The most important thing I am seeing is that Eden is fantastic with the ball, but he is fantastic without the ball, too. He is working very hard for the team.

“When the team-mates see the strikers with this type of commitment – when they don’t have the ball – I am satisfied, pleased and I hope for it to continue.”

Antonio Conte praised Victor Moses after his great performance against Leicester City.

The Nigerian started the second game in a row as a wing-back in Conte’s new 3-5-2 system with the Blues and showed a great attitude and intelligence, that the Italian manager appreciated a lot:

“When I arrived at Chelsea I told the club I wanted to see Victor in pre-season because I knew him very well and I knew about his great potential.

“He played well as a winger when we were playing with a 4-2-4. He’s a very good player, now he’s playing as a wing-back and it’s fantastic because he pays great attention in defence and can go one against one in attack.

“i always played this role but Moses is a winger. His education is fantastic. I’m pleased for him. If someone shows they deserve to play I have no problem, I don’t care about the surname.”

Chelsea boss José Mourinho spoke after the friendly game with FC Barcelona in Washington:

“My first thought when I got on the pitch was the amazing colour of the game.

“The crowd was beautiful. The blue guys and the Barcelona people were together. There was lots of colour. The screens were amazing.

“Barcelona were not worried about winning or losing. They were training – the same as us. It was not a tactical game. It was two teams looking for the best intensity, the best form.

“For me it was fantastic. I thanked Luis Enrique a lot for what they gave us. It was just what we needed.

“It was 2-2; it could have been 4-4. The penalties mean nothing for us, nothing for Barca but for the people it means a lot. The 70,000 or so people that were here go home happy. It was good promotion for soccer in the US and good for the promotion of our clubs.

“Cahill has a chance of a broken nose, maybe yes, maybe no. If no, perfect. If yes, he will get a mask tomorrow to be ready for Sunday!

“Diego felt a little thing in his hamstring. We believe it is just a feeling, no more than that, but we have to wait“.

José Mourinho thinks that Eden Hazard can become one of the top-five players in the world.

Speaking during Chelsea tour in the USA, the Chelsea boss revealed that he’s pushing Eden and everyone else in the squad and in the Blues staff to improve and give their best, so to reach more important results and established themselves in the European elíte.

The Belgian player was named Player of the Year the last season, but according to Mourinho he still has to get stronger:

“To repeat the awards, I believe he has got to get better, because the normal tendency is for people to find another star.

“People find somebody new to get these individual trophies. But he has all the conditions to improve. With his age he can improve.

“I talk to all of them (the squad). Medical department too. I told them. You have to be better.

Champions League can be an important competition to improve and reach the players Olympus:

“Two years ago we reached the CL semi-final but he didn’t play. He didn’t play in Madrid, he played injured at home. So he arrived in that crucial moment not in condition.

“Last year we didn’t do well and we were out immediately so he also needs a good Champions League. I’m not saying winning but I say a proper Champions League. But no matter, he is fantastic.

Mourinho also pointed out the fact that Hazard is a very loyal player on the pitch:

“He’s getting stronger and stronger, not just in his body, but in his attitude. He’s mentally tough. He’s not the kind of boy who overreacts. After a bad tackle he never rolls and rolls like other players do.

“He doesn’t try and push referees to make certain decisions. Eden is not this guy. He’s loyal and honest, and gets lots of respect from opponents because of that.”

“I would like more protection for him, but it’s beyond my control.

“The only thing I can do is what I am doing and what Eden is doing, which is to work and work and work to be stronger and stronger. I don’t want to change his mentality or personality. I don’t want him crying or overreacting.

“I don’t want someone to touch his shoulder and he reacts by throwing his hands in his face like some players do. I want Eden to be what he is – absolutely fantastic.

“Eden is coming with big status now and was voted one of the top ten players in Europe last year. In my opinion he should be in the top three not in the top ten. Let’s see what is going to happen but we have these people. But let’s say John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic are our captains and the others are ready to come.

For Chelsea manager, Hazard is already a leader:

“On the pitch Eden leads. He is not afraid to take responsibility. He is not afraid to get the team in a dark situation and bring blue sky again for the team.”

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